Leicester vs Middlesbrough Prediction & Betting Tips - Championship

Prediction published on 17/02/2024, 01:25  by Devesh Jaganath in Championship Predictions

Leicester City will look to continue their excellent Championship form when they face off against Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon. The hosts currently lead the league standings, while the visitors are down in 13th place. Leicester have been a cut above the rest this term and look destined to return to the Premier League, barring complete capitulation between now and the end of the season. They are on 78 points after 32 matches and have opened a 12-point gap over their closest rivals Leeds United. The Foxes secured their 25th league win in midweek, beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 at home. That result marked Leicester’s fifth win in a row in all competitions, while they have only lost once in their last ten league games. They are also still standing in the FA Cup, set for a fifth-round battle against Bournemouth at the end of the month. At home, the hosts have recorded an impeccable 13 wins in 16 matches and are unbeaten in their last nine. Despite their stellar form, Leicester will know that they cannot take this opponent lightly as they were beaten by Boro 1-0 in the reverse fixture. 

Meanwhile, after missing out on promotion in the playoffs last season, Middlesbrough have some work to do if they are to finish in the top six this term. They are currently on 41 points after 31 games, seven points behind Coventry City, who currently hold the final playoff spot. Boro are in desperate need of a positive result here. They were beaten 2-1 in midweek by Preston North End, which marked their fourth consecutive match without victory following two draws and a loss. Middlesbrough have competed in 15 matches outside of Riverside Stadium this season and have secured 20 points out of a possible 45 (W6 D2 L7). Their major issue this term has been in defence, where they have allowed 46 goals, keeping just one clean sheet in their last ten league outings. Still, the visitors will gain confidence from their record against this opponent, as they are unbeaten in their last eight encounters (W4 D4 L0) and have outscored them 12-6 in that time.